Deriving the Hierarchy from the WBS Element Number 

Use

If you are working with very large projects and need to create a lot of elements with complex project numbers, the system can help you derive the hierarchy.

Prerequisites

You have defined a coding mask for your projects in Customizing for the Project System. In this coding mask you entered enough dashes to model all the levels in the project hierarchy.

Features

If you have defined a coding mask, you can enter all the WBS elements in a project after each other without worrying about the hierarchy level. You can, for instance, enter all WBS elements on level 1.

The system then derives the hierarchy level of each WBS element from the coding mask. The WBS element with the shortest number is created in level 1. Every further WBS element is placed on a subordinate level, depending on its number and the number of dashes.

You have defined a project coding mask P-000-XX-00. You have entered all WBS elements on the same level. The system derives the hierarchy levels as follows:

WBS Element Number

Level

Superior WBS Element

P-001

1

  

P-001-AA

2

P-001

P-001-AA-01

3

P-001-AA

Activities

After you have entered all the WBS elements, choose Project ® Derive structure ® Derive. The system places the WBS elements in the correct sequence in the project hierarchy.

If the system cannot derive the hierarchy, it prompts you to check the structure. To do this, choose Project ® Derive structure ® Check. The system then displays a message text, detailing the errors found.